Constellation Audio has launched some more accessible pieces (read:prices) at the Munich High End show, including the Cygnus media player pictured below. Constellation Audio's team is extremely impressive including names like the legendary John Curl and Demain Martin, as well as Andreas Koch of Revox, EMM Labs, and Playback Designs fame.
 |
| Cygnus Media Player | Credits: www.my-hiend.com |
 |
| Sirius transport unit |
Plays CD, SACD, and DVD-Audio
The Sirius accommodates all of the optical formats commonly used by audiophiles. Unlike many SACD players, it does not downconvert 1-bit digital audio to PCM for playback, so it retains the essential purity of the SACD recording.
The Sirius accommodates all of the optical formats commonly used by audiophiles. Unlike many SACD players, it does not downconvert 1-bit digital audio to PCM for playback, so it retains the essential purity of the SACD recording.
Plays digital music files
Digital music files such as MP3, FLAC, and WAV can be played through the Sirius DAC with extraordinary fidelity. These files can be sourced from a USB stick, a computer, or a networked hard drive.
Triple chassis design
Each Sirius comprises three separate chassis. One encloses the digital-to-analog conversion circuitry, another contains the optical disc drive and the digital file player, and the third holds the power supply. The design assures that the electrical and mechanical energy of one component cannot interfere with the circuits of another.
 |
| Sirius DAC unit |
Triple-transformer power supply
The Sirius power supply module has three separate R-core transformers, each linked to its own voltage regulation circuitry—thus it provides separate power feeds for left channel analog audio, right channel analog audio, and digital/control circuitry. Connections are made through custom-extruded PCOCC wire terminated with aerospace-type Hypertronics connectors.
The Sirius power supply module has three separate R-core transformers, each linked to its own voltage regulation circuitry—thus it provides separate power feeds for left channel analog audio, right channel analog audio, and digital/control circuitry. Connections are made through custom-extruded PCOCC wire terminated with aerospace-type Hypertronics connectors.
 |
| Sirius power supply unit |
C-Link digital interface
In order to avoid down-conversion of the audio from SACD discs, we connect the optical disc/digital file player to the DAC through our proprietary C-link optical interface. This connection also carries PCM signals.
Esoteric VRDS-Neo drive mechanism
The VRDS-Neo is simply the best drive mechanism available. Its Vibration-Free Rigid Disc Clamping System holds a disc firmly so that it can spin at four times normal speed without vibrating—thus producing a low-jitter digital signal that needs less error correction
Line Stage Gain Module
This module serves as a key component of all Constellation Audio products. It is a balanced circuit composed of two mirror-imaged amplifiers, with one amplifying the positive half of the signal and the other amplifying the negative half. Through the use of hand-matched, ultra-low-noise FETs and servo circuits, we maintain an essentially perfect balance between the positive and negative parts of the signal. A machined aluminum shield isolates the module from electromagnetic interference.
 |
| Pyxis system controller |
Massive solid aluminum chassis
As with our other line-level components, each module of the Sirius is constructed from a single piece of billet aluminum, machined with a wall thickness of 8.2mm to block interference from 50/60 Hz household circuits. The mass of the metal chassis helps damp vibration from external sources.
As with our other line-level components, each module of the Sirius is constructed from a single piece of billet aluminum, machined with a wall thickness of 8.2mm to block interference from 50/60 Hz household circuits. The mass of the metal chassis helps damp vibration from external sources.
